Activating Vacant Spaces

Living Lots NYC is a clearinghouse of information that New Yorkers can use to find, unlock and protect our shared resources. 596 Acres started with vacant lots and remains committed to helping fill these holes.

Reviewing Accountability

Urban Reviewer catalogs over 150 urban renewal plans that NYC adopted to get federal funding for acquiring land, relocating the people living there, demolishing the structures and making way for new public and private development.

Gaining Access to Public Buildings

NYCommons helps New Yorkers impact decisions about public land and buildings in their neighborhoods. It is a collaboration between Common Cause/NY, the Community Development Project at the Urban Justice Center, and 596 Acres.

Our studio is open! Come visit us. Get some cool things, like Community Governance Cards and information we made useful from the city’s databases about the vacant land and buildings in your life. We will brainstorm with you about how to transform these into lasting community places. More information about Gowanus Open Studios on the Arts Gowanus website here and facebook here.